Politics

More than 60 percent of registered voters in Ionia and Montcalm counties exercised their right to vote Tuesday. Ionia County had 62 percent voter turnout, while Montcalm County had more than 61 percent voter turnout (down just a few percentage points from the 2008 presidential election).

After a long night of waiting for election results to trickle in throughout Ionia County, a close race for two spots on the Belding Area Schools Board of Education came to an end in favor of two incumbents.

Despite continued crime throughout Montcalm County, voters decided to turn down a proposal in support of local law enforcement millage. A 0.6 millage proposal to generate $971,830 per year for two years for the Montcalm County Sheriff’s Office was shot down Tuesday by 11,647 “yes” votes (48 percent) compared to 12,735 “no” votes (52 percent).

AREA PROPOSALS IONIA COUNTY 911 OPERATING SURCHARGE PROPOSAL For the period beginning July 1, 2013 and continuing through the month of June in the year 2021, shall Ionia County be authorized to assess a monthly surcharge of up to Two Dollars and Forty Cents (not to exceed $2.40) on the monthly billings of landline, wireless [...]

Montcalm County Sheriff Bill Barnwell is hoping voters will place a priority on protection when they vote Nov. 6. Voters will be asked whether to approve a 0.6 mill proposal to generate about $950,000 over two years to help restore and maintain sheriff’s department coverage throughout Montcalm County.